(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser joined community members and local artists in Petworth to kick off the inaugural Art Week. Art Week offers residents and visitors the chance to attend free events that celebrate DC’s arts and culture scene, including Art All Night, the 38th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards, and World Culture Festival.
“Art Week is a great opportunity to experience and celebrate the incredible talent of our creative community,” said Mayor Bowser. “With our annual events like Art All Night and the Mayor’s Arts Awards, and new events like Dine All Night and the World Culture Festival, there is something for everyone to experience this week.”
Art All Night – Friday, September 29 and Saturday, September 30
7 pm to 3 am
Art All Night is an annual overnight arts festival spanning two nights that celebrates the District’s performing, visual, and—for the first time—culinary arts, with the addition of Dine All Night. Art All Night will be held across all eight wards on September 29 and September 30 from 7 pm to 3 am. The event will feature more than 100 local artists and more than 20 Main Streets and Business Improvement Districts.
This year, Art All Night will include activations located in:
- Barracks Row
- Cleveland Park
- Congress Heights
- Deanwood
- Dupont Circle
- Eastern Market
- Georgetown
- Glover Park
- H Street
- Logan Circle
- Mount Pleasant
- Pennsylvania Ave
- Petworth
- Rhode Island Ave
- Shaw
- Tenleytown
- The Parks
- U Street
- Upper Bladensburg Road
- Uptown
- Vanness
- Woodley Park
Supported by the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), the city-wide event will include activations within 22 Main Streets, 9 BIDs, DC Public Libraries, and several local establishments across all eight wards. In addition to showcasing the arts, Art All Night also inspires thousands of residents and visitors to support shops, galleries, local artists, and other local businesses, boosting the local economy in the process and highlighting neighborhoods across DC. Art All Night is made possible by essential partnerships with sister agencies across the government, including financial support from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and DC Arts and Humanities.
For more information about DC Art All Night, visit dcartallnight.org.
Dine All Night – September 21-October 1
This year, for the first time, Dine All Night is part of all Art All Night. Dine All Night, which is already underway, features unique menus, experiences, and offerings at over 60 participating restaurants across all eight wards. The 10-day celebration kicked off on September 21 and will run through October 1.
To learn more about Dine All Night and see a list of participating restaurants by neighborhood, visit dcartallnight.org/dine-all-night.
“Art All Night and Dine All Night serve as hubs for the District's creativity to blossom and embody the entrepreneurial spirit that propels our local businesses forward,” said DSLBD Director Kristi Whitfield. “Art All Night represents the seamless integration of creativity and commerce, capable of nurturing aspirations, forging connections, and illuminating the road to success for our small business community. So, join us as we ignite the night, stroke by stroke, business by business, this weekend.”
38th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards
September 28, 6 pm
Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U Street NW
On September 28, Mayor Bowser and the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment (OCTFME) will host the 38th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards. The ceremony will feature live performances and surprise guests, and the most prestigious honors will be given to local artists, arts educators, nonprofit organizations, creative and fashion industries, and patrons of the arts and humanities. This year’s theme, Born Bold, embodies the spirit of empowerment, resilience, innovation, and fearlessness that defines DC’s rich artistic heritage and culture.
The Mayor’s Arts Awards features 14 distinct categories, and all nominations and awardees, with the exception of Distinguished Honor, will be chosen by the residents of the District across all eight wards.
For more information, and to register for the Mayor’s Arts Awards, visit dcmayorsartsawards.com.
“Art Week as part of 202Creates Month is a testament to Mayor Bowser’s commitment to spotlighting signature events that showcase DC as the capital of cool, culture, and creativity,” said the Director of the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment LaToya Foster. “At OCTFME and the Creative Affairs Office we are gearing up for the city’s biggest, boldest night of the arts and entertainment at the Mayor Arts Awards. We extend an invitation to every resident to join us this Thursday evening for what promises to be more than just an event – it's a celebration of the dynamic creative spirit that permeates every corner within every ward of our nation's capital.”
Theatre Week – Thursday, September 21 – Sunday, October 8
Theatre Week is an annual celebration that allows residents and visitors to access performances, shows, and premieres in a whole new way while increasing community engagement with DC’s professional theatre scene. Theatre Week 2023 features specially-priced tickets, starting at just $20, to over two dozen shows and special events.
For more information about Theatre Week, visit theatreweek.org.>
World Culture Festival
September 29 – October 1
National Mall
The three-day festival, hosted by the Art of Living Foundation, will run from September 29 through October 1, on the National Mall. The event will be a celebration of culture, diversity, and unity. Attendees will get to experience live music, art, food, and dancing from a variety of nations and cultures, as well as partake in meditation and attend inspirational talks.
For more information on the festival or to get free tickets, visit the World Culture Festival website: wcf.artofliving.org
Art Week is part of 202Creates Month, which was launched by Mayor Bowser in September 2016 as a citywide effort to amplify, celebrate, and highlight the District’s dynamic creative community. For more information on the events happening during 202Creates Month, visit 202creates.com/event-calendar.
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Mayor Bowser Twitter: @MayorBowser
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